Local family gives Ukrainian refugees security, support as war with Russia rages on

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Ukrainian refugees continue to call the Carolinas home one year after Russia invaded their country.

Yuliia Chuko and her family escaped their home in northern Ukraine and are staying in Cabarrus County.

Chuko told Channel 9′s Ken Lemon about the last day in her hometown, huddled with family members in a basement for 24 hours as bombs went off overhead.

“Everything is boom, boom, boom,” she said.

Chuko, her husband, and her 17-month-old daughter, now live with the Holleman family in Cornelius.

James Holleman heard United for Ukraine was asking people to support Ukrainian families for two years.

“I have fought for freedom, and this was an opportunity to give freedom,” he told Channel 9.

Chuko said her family has much more than just freedom after arriving about three months ago.

They now have support and security.

“They touched our hearts,” Chuko said. “They touch every moment, every time.”

In the video at the top of this webpage, how the two families have come together in a time of war.

VIDEO: Man helping at the Ukraine border spreads the word about need for help for refugees

Man helping at the Ukraine border spreads the word about need for help for refugees

©2023 Cox Media Group